economy
February 21, 2026
China overtakes US as Germany’s biggest trade partner
China became Germany’s largest trading partner in 2025 amid a record bilateral trade deficit, Berlin has said
TL;DR
- China is now Germany's biggest trading partner, surpassing the US.
- Germany's trade deficit with China reached a record €89.3 billion in 2025.
- Germany's exports to China fell by 9.7%, while China's exports to Germany increased by 8.8%.
- Germany's exports to the US also fell, reducing the trade surplus between the two nations.
- Overall German exports grew by less than 1% while imports grew by 4.3% last year.
- The German economy has been impacted by the decision to reduce reliance on Russian natural gas.
- High energy prices and successive crises have been cited as key factors in the economic slowdown.
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